Recently, Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have implemented new laws aimed at regulating women's behavior in public spaces. These laws, approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, are part of the government's efforts to combat vice and promote virtue in the country.
The Taliban established a ministry for the 'propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice' following their takeover in 2021. This ministry has now published a 114-page document outlining vice and virtue laws that cover various aspects of daily life, including public transportation, music, shaving, and celebrations.
One of the key provisions in these laws pertains to women's conduct. Women are required to veil their bodies at all times in public, with face coverings deemed essential to prevent temptation. Additionally, women are prohibited from singing, reciting poetry, or reading aloud in public, as their voices are considered intimate and should not be heard by unrelated men.
Furthermore, the laws ban the publication of images of living beings and the playing of music. They also restrict the transportation of solo female travelers and mandate the separation of men and women who are not related. Passengers and drivers are required to perform prayers at designated times as well.
However, these laws have raised concerns among human rights organizations and the United Nations. A recent U.N. report highlighted the ministry's role in creating a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans through its enforcement methods. The report also expressed worries about the ministry's expanding influence in areas such as media monitoring and combating drug addiction.
Overall, these new laws on women's conduct in public reflect the Taliban's efforts to impose strict regulations on personal behavior in Afghanistan. The implications of these laws, especially for women and girls, have sparked significant concerns among international observers and human rights advocates.
